Boy Scout Merit Badges

Boy Scout merit badges give scouts the opportunity to investigate around 120 different areas of knowledge and skills. The merit badge program plays a major role in the scouting advancement program and participation can begin as soon as a scout registers with a troop. Each scout can explore topics from American Business to Woodworking as he has interest. The only limitations are his ambition and availability of adult merit badge counselors to offer instruction.

Merit Badge Pamphlets: An official Boy Scout merit badge pamphlet has been created for the BSA by topic authorities for each merit badge. The pamphlets contain requirements, introductory information and supplemental reference text. A scout can purchase pamphlets from BSA, find them in a troop library, or often-times check them out from a public library. There is also a Requirements Booklet with a merit badge list for quick reference.

Merit Badge Counselors: Merit badge counselors are volunteers that have been selected, trained, and approved by council or district committees. They are knowledgeable in the topic and understand the goals of scouting and the Boy Scout merit badge program. Many districts have a directory of counselors. See this page for more info on becoming a merit badge counselor.

Merit Badge Process: A scout decides he would like to earn a specific merit badge. He obtains approval to begin the merit badge from his Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster identifies possible merit badge counselors. The scout identifies another scout, buddy, or family member that will be his partner to attend all meetings with the counselor to follow safe scouting guidelines. He then contacts the counselor to begin badge work. The counselor reviews the requirements with the scouts and they decide on projects to complete and a completion schedule. The counselor provides expertise, advice, guidance as needed until the scouts have completed the requirements. The merit badge counselor certifies completion of requirements and the merit badge patch is presented at a court of honor or troop meeting.
See this page for more info on merit badges.

Required Merit Badges: A boy scout can begin taking merit badges as soon as he joins a troop, but no merit badges are required for advancement until he receives his First Class rank. Advancement to Star, Life, and Eagle all require completion of merit badges, service, and demonstration of responsibility. To reach Eagle rank, a scout must complete a total of at least 21 Boy Scout merit badges listing them in his handbook, 13 of which come from the Eagle-required badge list.

Request New Merit Badge Topics
If you feel another topic or activity should be added, you need to tell the Boy Scouts of America directly.
For new merit badge ideas, send your request to: merit.badge@scouting.org
See section 7.0.4.0 of this page for more info.

hello i am trying to get some help. i need four more eagle req. badges, but i don't have much time. i need Personal Fitness, Personal Management, cit. in community, and emergancy prep. my deadline is december 16 so as of right now i need to hurry. i wish i couldve gone to a summer camp and do these but i was already overloaded and was unable to at the time. now i am in a big hurry. is there a program somewhere or a way i could do these without losing my eagle? thanks i really want the oprotunity to talk. ive heard about like merit badge fairs and stuff but i dont know much about this stuff. cant wait for some tips! Austin`
P.S. i live near dallas, texas. Thanks!

Sep 03, 2012 - Scouter Paul

Austin - There is no way you could have done these merit badges at summer camp and you can't just churn them out in a one day merit badge fair.
Earning Eagle is more like a marathon than a quick sprint and if the requirements are put off too long, it is unattainable. The only way you can earn Eagle is to put in the full effort on these merit badges and set aside the time required to complete all the tasks.
You should immediately contact your scoutmaster and get started. If you got a counselor right away, went to work, and didn't procrastinate any longer, you could conceivably complete these badges just before your deadline.

Sep 19, 2012 - Henry L. Bryan

Has the BSA looked into an idea to offer "advanced" merit badges? Advanced merit badges would list several additional requirements that would be more difficult to learn and/or more difficult to achieve. For example, the physical fitness merit badge would list physical fitness tests and accomplishments that might be considered more difficult to achieve than the current requirements.
The idea of an advanced merit badge would be to provide a greater challenge to some scouts. These scouts who accomplish the additional requirements could be awarded a merit badge with a different outer lining (perhaps gold color) for the badge.
Advanced merit badges could provide more challenge without taking away the current requirements and current badge.

Sep 22, 2012 - Scouter Paul

Henry - the goal of the merit badge program is to introduce scouts to possible careers, interests, or hobbies which they can develop further on their own. I doubt a hierarchy of merit badge difficulties would be introduced, but you could let national BSA know your idea.

Sep 30, 2012 - Karen

I would love to see a Running merit badge. My son is into long distance running; half-marathons and distance relays. When he turns 16 he hopes to do marathons. None of the badges cover just running - "Athletics" is more track and field. Distance running is becoming such a huge sport, the BSA should really consider adding such a MB.

Oct 01, 2012 - Linda G

Wish they would go to six months to complete a badge. The boys have no clue what they were taught any longer than that. The trail to Eagle is getting "fluffy".

Jan 04, 2013 - lina

Here' s an idea.....would it be too much of an effort to put the actual merit badge pamphlets online for sale as digital media? I just can't believe that after all this time this process is so difficult. because as a mom and former cub leader,it would make my life a little less stressful. because we all know how responsible boys are(see Austin eagle above for example -- not all, just most)..even if they are honor students, good athletes, etc..and were reminded over and over to get this stuff done EARLIER!! yes, I am venting here but you have to admit it, I am right about the digital copy. it would be nice and of course there would be a fee

Jan 22, 2013 - Rosemary F. Callahan

I am requesting info from the scouting community to address a merit badge that can be acquired by a scout that will involve the planting of annuals, perennials, and or bulbs at their house of worship. I am a volunteer for the Master Gardening Program with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension Program in Suffolk County, New York.; I came upon this idea by researching the web site... Bulbproject. org, this community places daffodils and crocus bulbs on municipal roadways for area beautification of the community, the community has a fund raiser for the purchase of the bulbs from a supplier and sets a date of the first Saturday in October to pick up the bulbs by volunteers for their installation.... can you imagine the beauty of that roadway, the smiles on the faces of the volunteers and the people passing by..... why not try this project at our houses of worship.
Respectfully,
William Peacock

Jan 22, 2013 - Yukon Jack

@ Wiliam/Rosemary. I'd suggest looking at the Gardening MB as a primary place. You may also meet some requirements for the Plant Science MB and the Soil & Water Conservation MB as well.

Jan 24, 2013 - Holly

my son is in the wolf den ,I am his wolf mom/leader for our wolf den.
My husband has graduated college with the highest honors for land surveying and has his degree.
and Now currently back in college for Diesel mechanic (which he did for the Army for 6 years)and he is currently working in a garage as a diesel mechanic
My question is :
would he be able to be the counselor and teach my son and any others boys in the wolf pack so they can work for there badges now?
or do they have to be in boy scouts and out of cub scouts?

Jan 24, 2013 - Scouter Paul

Holly - merit badges are only for Boy Scouts, not Cub Scouts.

Mar 03, 2013 - Quentin Wade Dawson

I'm a eagle scout in 1982 but i never got all merit badges that i finished for my eagle badge award i had a total of 50 is there away i can get them? I HOPE U CAN HELP ME!!!!!

Mar 03, 2013 - Scouter Paul

Quentin - If you have your advancement paperwork, you might take that to you local scout shop and ask them what you need to do to purchase replacement patches. They might be lenient and sell them to you, or refer you to someone higher up.
You could contact the council from which you received your ranks and ask if they have advancement records from 30 years ago.

Mar 05, 2013 - Paul from Dallas

I am not sure if this is the correct forum but my boy just transferred into Boy Scouts so I went into the attic and brought out my old sash with my merit badges on them. There is one I can not find any reference to. It is the same size as all the other merit badges and has the green border with a full length white horse with a black mane and tail. The background is purple. I probably should know what this badge was for but it has been almost forty years and I am wondering if it could have been a temporary badge or if it is even a valid badge. This was earned in 1974 in the Pa. area.

Mar 05, 2013 - Scouter Paul

Paul - That was the "Animal Industry" merit badge.

Apr 13, 2013 - MARTHA

MY SON HAS PROBLEMS READING, AND SOMETIMES FOCUSING.
THE EAGLE SCOUTS MERIT BADGES ARE HARD FOR HIM.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
CONCERN PARENT.

Apr 14, 2013 - Scouter Paul

Martha - Merit badges are not much different from any other learning opportunity your son may be offered. Whichever methods he uses to help himself with school, social interaction, and other parts of life should work with merit badges.
He may be more challenged than other scouts to complete some badges, but if he wants to do it, he will.
As a parent, you might encourage him, help him set aside a specific time for merit badge progress each week, and become familiar with the badge requirements to help him choose some that fit his interests. Many merit badges have little reading and lots of DOing - Hiking merit badge is a good example.

May 22, 2013 - New Advanc Chair

We have boys in out troop that just turned 12- and the mother is already pushing Eagle Merit Badges on them. A few of the MB the Councelor herself refused to do with them because of thier age/mentality level. She wants to send them to another councelor to be done. On review of even the easier badges it has come to light that the boys are not really doing the work- the parent is. How can we get her to back down and have the boys wait until they han comprehend the merit badge and do the work themselves? I am new in the Advan. chair position and know the boys are not capable of the ones she is pushing for. She wants them to be Eagle by thier 13th b-day .... augh !!

May 24, 2013 - GLT

As a committee chair, I would talk with my scoutmaster / MB counselors about the issue at our leaders meeting and see what they think. Only with a united front in the troop will you be able to confront someone really aggressive.
As a physician who counsels the first aid MB, I have elected to make everyone pass a basic written test over the material before they get the badge. One boy with a learning disability couldn't do in a written form, so he did it in an oral form instead.

Jul 13, 2013 - Christy

To GLT, you say you are a MB counselor and "As a physician who counsels the first aid MB, I have elected to make everyone pass a basic written test over the material before they get the badge." You need to be careful with this, since no one is allowed to add to or take from or modify the requirements of the merit badges, as referenced in various locations in the Guide to Advancement and other resources.
I know you probably do it in order that the scouts prove up they know first aid, but if passing a test is a requirement that you put on the scouts as a condition of earning the merit badge, you would be considered as not following what a MB counselor is supposed to be doing.

Jul 27, 2013 - Woodsy

How can a person go about getting certified to be a counselor to assist scouts with earning Merit Badges? I would like to offer scouts the opportunity to earn some badges through guided hikes. Are scout leaders typically certified counselors? If so, can I work with a leader/counselor and offer guided hikes? Or, should I become a counselor myself and offer the guided hikes to any and all interested scouts? Thank you for your guidance.

Jul 28, 2013 - Scouter Paul

@Woodsy - You should become a merit badge counselor by applying through your local BSA council. They have the role of authorizing or denying your membership. See BeAScout.org

Jul 28, 2013 - GLT

To Christy, sorry I wasn't more clear about the first aid test. First Aid MB Requirement #1 is " satisfy your counselor that you understand the first aid requirements for tenderfoot, second class, and first class..." I suppose I could test them verbally, but have found it gives them a sense of accomplishment to "satisfy their counselor" by passing a written exam.

Oct 01, 2013 - VLS

I have an Eagle Scout who decided to continue on and collect all of the merit badges. He finished them ALL just before the new clutch of badges issued. Is there a "group" for scouts who have accomplished this please?

Oct 01, 2013 - Scouter Paul

@VLS - There is no group or club or organization made of only scouts that earned all merit badges.

Nov 14, 2013 - Happy Hitchhiker

Since boy scouts are all different ages, are the "standards" for a merit badge dependent on the scouts age? A scout I work with is having a very difficult time with earning the medicine merit badge because the counselor is requiring a higher level of work than the scout is able to give. The counselor said to wait a few years and then try again. Are certain merit badges just "reserved" for the older grades?

Nov 15, 2013 - Scouter Paul

@Happy - No, the same standards are applied to each scout. No, no badges are reserved for older scouts.
The BSA guidelines state that any registered Boy Scout can begin work on any merit badge at any time. Some merit badges are definitely more difficult than others. Merit badge counselors interpret the requirements and ensure that each scout complete the requirements "to the counselor's satisfaction".

Nov 19, 2013 - Jeff S.

HH & SP,
I agree with both of you; however, in this instance, I'd suggest that another counselor be sought. I know that the requirements must be maintained, and that the "bar" remains the same regardless of the age of the scout, but finding a counselor who is willing to teach, or one willing to work with the youth may be the key here. I remember that while doing the Music MB as a 15 y.o. youth, the counselor expected much more out of me than she did out of my 12 y.o. cousin. We both me the requirements, but more was expected out of me.
Thanks for hearing me out! I hope that this contributes to the conversation.

Dec 23, 2013 - Kit Whittaker

I have looked on five websites to learn which shoulder the merit badge sash goes on. I hesitate to sew all those badges on my grandson's sash until I know for sure!
Grandma Kit

Dec 24, 2013 - Scouter Paul

@Kit - The merit badge sash is draped over the right shoulder and left hip. It is not to be worn folded on the belt! See uniform page.

Feb 19, 2014 - TR

Leaders need to really watch out for merit badge midways---one day events--and be made aware of what the guide to advancement states about group instruction.

Apr 12, 2014 - HappyHitchhiker

I am confused...can parents and/or scout leaders sign off on merit badges? I am assisting a boy scout with finding a counselor in the state since we do not have a local one and was told by the scoutmaster that the boy's parents can just sign off on it. What is the point of having merit badge counselors if parents can sign off on things?

Apr 13, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Happy - Only a registered merit badge counselor can sign off on merit badge completions. A merit badge counselor can be a parent.
Saying "the boy's parents can just sign off" is incorrect.

Jun 21, 2014 - Eric

I have a few questions to ask about obtaining merit badges. Because my son just joined the Scouts a few weeks ago and has been trying to start a few to do over the summer and has gotten the run around on how to start them and who to talk too to begin them. First he went to the scout master as the BSA hand book says to do and his scout master told him he needed to talk to the troop counselor on how to begin any new merit badges. So he went to the counselor and the counselor told him that he would have to find two or three other boys that want to work on that same merit badge to begin it. Please advise me on how we can solve this problem and get him working on his own merit badges

Jun 23, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Eric - The merit badge process is explained above and in detail at this BSA page. There is no "troop counselor" position, so I don't know what the scoutmaster is talking about there. But, from your text, it sounds like that is a merit badge counselor who is also a parent volunteer in the troop.
There should be no requirement that a scout solicit a group of scouts to join him in doing a merit badge. That is not part of the merit badge process.

Jun 26, 2014 - scoutmaster Kyle

@Scouter Paul - except that for Youth Protection the counselor may be asking for the scout to bring along a buddy or fellow scout to avoid having one on one interactions. But it sure sounds like counselor is trying to do a group at a time rather than individual scouts, to save effort maybe. But you're right, it's not part of the process to do that.

Jul 21, 2014 - Gary Garrison

Regarding the question on April 12 and the answer on the 13th. There is nothing wrong with a counselor accepting the parent's word that a particular requirement was met, provided the parent has established credibility with the counselor. I agree that only a registered merit badge counselor can "sign off" on a requirement but we merit badge counselors must be allowed and able to have confidence in other adults and parents who witness and are involved in the boys accomplishments.

Jul 21, 2014 - Gary Garrison

Question; Does anyone know of any BSA rule or policy prohibiting a boy from working on and accomplishing merit badge requirements while on a family vacation or other activity that is not an official Scout function as long as some proof or verification is presented to the merit badge counselor?

Jul 27, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Gary - It depends on the merit badge since some require direct acceptance of specific requirements, such as scoring with rifles and shotguns. But, many merit badge requirements get completed on family vacations, such as visiting national monuments and historic places.
It would be a very good idea for the scout to discuss his plan with his counselor BEFORE doing requirements on a vacation to ensure the counselor plans on accepting the results.

Sep 24, 2014 - Rose

We have several boys all working on the same badges. Can we cover some of the requirements at a regular troop meeting? They all work really well together.

Sep 29, 2014 - SPL Quinn

This is regarding Rose's question. I am the SPL of Troop 440 out of Annville, Pa. I have visited other scout troops in the area and saw how they function. There are many scout troops, including mine, who do that. However, I would recommend that the decision be up to the boys as to what merit badge to do (give them a list) and be sure not to focus too much on just merit badges. Have some fun stuff and learning knots and firebuilding too. I would recommend having mostly eagle badges, and maybe an easy other too, like fingerprinting.

Sep 29, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Rose - Yes, you can, but...
Earning merit badges should be Scout initiated, Scout researched, and Scout learned. See this page- section 7.0.3.2 about group instruction.

Nov 17, 2014 - Happy Hitchhiker

I became a merit badge counselor for several badges that were not offered in our area. One of which is hiking. I planned a series of hikes and got together with another counselor to incorporate another badge into the activities. After inviting the four troops in town to earn the hiking badge I was informed that the scoutmaster and a parent sign off on that badge (from one troop), another troop has a father that approves all the hikes, the third said that the boys earn this at camp, and the fourth sent 5 boys on the hikes. I checked with the council and we have no other hiking merit badge counselors in the county. Is this the norm?

Nov 17, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@HH - Thanks for filling that gap!
Seems strange that there are 3 counselors for Hiking in your town, yet no more in the area. I'm a counselor for Hiking and there are at least a dozen more in our district.
I've seen quite a few times where troops really try to control the merit badges earned by their scouts. They prefer to have scouts do badges internally rather than work with new adults out in the world. That strikes me as parochial and detrimental to the growth of the scouts.
I expect it comes from a bad experience with some counselor far back in the past that resulted in that view of the world. I can understand that since I've run into merit badges completed at summer camp with some of the requirements not actually being completed. As far as summer camp goes, I don't see how Hiking can be completed in a week with the miles required.
I love hiking. I love getting scouts to hike with me. 3 hours of walking is a great time to chat about anything.

Nov 18, 2014 - Happy Hitchhiker

Scouter Paul...I am the only hiking merit badge counselor (registered) in our town. There are 5 in a town 60 miles away. The entire council only has 8 hiking merit badge counselors. What I was told by 3 of the 4 scout troops in our town is that THEY ( leader or parent) sign off on hiking merit badges. Why is this? I got together with another merit badge counselor to offer his badge on the hikes so the boys would get a 2 for 1 deal (so to speak) for working so hard for that week. The 5 that came loved it. I just found out last night that one troop gives merit badges to Webelos when they participate with the troop. This seems really weird. Maybe this is why there are so few registered merit badge counselors in our town ( we have 6 including me but the other 5 cover one badge only).

Nov 18, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@HH - Not only weird, but not following the BSA program. There is no way that a Webelos scout should ever receive a merit badge. ONLY registered merit badge counselors are authorized to sign off the requirements for merit badges. If those leaders or parents are not registered counselors for Hiking, then they should not be signing off the requirements.
It's a council problem if they are giving out merit badges to anyone. If you'd like to get things changed, I think the next step would be to inform your district advancement chair about what is going on and see what s/he thinks about it. Either it gets fixed or the council has no problem with it. But, it certainly is incorrect.

Nov 24, 2014 - Runner Neal

In regards to Karen's message...
Sep 30, 2012 - Karen
I would love to see a Running merit badge. My son is into long distance running; half-marathons and distance relays. When he turns 16 he hopes to do marathons. None of the badges cover just running - "Athletics" is more track and field. Distance running is becoming such a huge sport, the BSA should really consider adding such a MB.
I agree with you 100%. Running has become a very popular activity in our society. It exemplifies what Boy Scouts is all about. I am going to write up a proposal that the BSA add Running merit badge. Let me know if you have ideas for the badge.

Jan 05, 2015 - Mom

At this weekends campout, the scout master said that no scout was allowed to work on merit badges individually. The troop does merit badges as a group. The scout master gave all the parents a schedule of this year's activities and the associated merit badges. Can leaders do this? The other parents seem to enjoy it because they don't have to do anything.

Jan 05, 2015 - Greenbar Bear

In response to Mom,
I have known troops to have a merit badge specific campouts where all the scouts work on the same MB. To have all MBs for the whole year planned out seems odd to me. Scouts are allowed to work on MBs individually. What if a boys needs a required MB for advancement that is not offered that year? What if a scout has an interest in a particular MB not offered, is he allowed to work on it without it being a "troop MB"? Earning MBs should be an individual endeavor (emphasis on earning). Scouts are allowed to advance at their own pace. They are allowed to earn whatever MBs they choose. In my opinion parents, scout leaders, troop committee, and the troop itself are all there to support a scout in his scouting experience. Encouragement, positive reinforcement and sometimes gentle prodding are needed to help a scout along the path. I would never try to hold back a scout who has a desire to earn as many MBs as he can. Are there other troops in your area?

Feb 04, 2015 - Mom

No troop in my community uses registered merit badge counselors. The adult leaders in the troop sign off on the requirements and run them as "classes" where the boys just fill in what the adult says. I just don't know what to do. I tell my son to be honest, follow the rules, and be proud of what he earns, but then everyone around him doesn't play by the same set of rules. Is this happening in other troops as well?

Feb 10, 2015 - Dad

Most adult leaders are also official merit badge counselors who can run classes or such. Most have taken the training to do so as well.

Feb 11, 2015 - Scouter Mom:)

In my personal opinion and other adult leaders in my área,Scouts should start tKing Eagle Required MB after they are first class. I'm about to start with a badge and being pressured into giving it to tenderfoot and scout Scouts. Is anyone else having issues with this? I have been told there are "rules" for this but can't find anything written.

Feb 11, 2015 - Scouter Paul

@Mom - The merit badge program is designed and intended to be a personal progression for each scout, not a mass-fed classroom program. Chapter 7 of the Guide to Advancement explains it very well. The scoutmaster of your son's troop is doing it wrong, and is shortchanging the scouts from opportunity to grow as young men. People don't mind doing it his way because it makes life easy for them and their son gets a patch.
@Scouter Mom - Your personal opinion goes against the documented way to implement the merit badge program. You, and all those other leaders in your area, really should follow the merit badge counselor guide and get a copy of the Guide to Advancement and read it. Especially chapter 7 and section 7.0.0.3

Jul 22, 2015 - Old Scouter

Scouter Mom, at various times in the past BSA had limited Merit Badges to Scouts that had earned First Class and for a time the First Aid MB was required for First Class. Old rules tend to continue to float in the back of people's mind, along with from the-way-we-did-it when I was a Scout thinking. -- Under the current BSA Guidelines, an enrolled Scout can work on any MB at any time (with a Green Card in hand). -- But, this should be balanced against BSA goal that every Scout should earn First Class within the First Year (learn basic Scout-craft). Technically, a boy could leave after several years of Scouting with a sash full of Merit Badges and a Tenderfoot, a unique version of the program. So it is a balancing act with each boy and troop (leadership) finding their own path. -- Some troops and some Scouts are more advancement oriented, and others just sort of let it happen (with rude awakenings at age 17-1/2, but that is another topic).

Aug 10, 2015 - ASM Scott

Can a SM or ASM sign off on a requirement for a MB that was done with the troop? For example, for the communications MB a scout gave a required 5 minute speech in front of the troop at a meeting. The MBC was not present. If the SM signs off on that requirement, is it valid?

Aug 10, 2015 - Scouter Paul

@Scott - Only a merit badge counselor, registered for the specific
merit badge, can sign off requirements for a merit badge. If the
scout talks to his merit badge counselor beforehand and gets the
OK from him/her to have the scoutmaster observe the speech and
verify that the scout did it, then that would be fine. The
scoutmaster could sign some note that said the scout did the
speech, but he/she would not sign the blue card that the
requirement was complete.

Sep 03, 2015 - Johanna

My son is a new boy scout, and began by wanting to earn as many merit badges as possible. When he approached the merit badge coordinator to inquire about counselors, he was told that they don't do it that way; they only offer the merit badges in classes and if he could find other scouts interested in earning the same merit badge, then he could approach the coordinator again. We have no idea who the counselors are because he won't share this information. My son wanted to do a couple this summer since he had no school work to complete, but was unable to find anyone else who was interested at that time. We have sent him to some merit badge classes that we've come across, but that is getting a bit cost prohibitive. I have even tried approaching some leaders to help my son out, but have been told that I am not allowed to ask. That my son must approach them to make an inquiry. Any idea what else I can do to help him because now he is getting frustrated and wants to quit scouts.

Sep 03, 2015 - Scouter Joe

@Johanna I would suggest contacting your district and or council
to get a complete list of merit badge counselors in your area. Each
area does it differently but he should be able to pursue any and all
merit badges he wishes.

Nov 04, 2015 - Teresa

I am a merit badge counselor for several badges and approach it as
having the scout try their best, but other merit badge counselors
say that they expect more from the scout if it is an Eagle
required merit badge. I have seen scouts try more than 5 times to
meet the expectations of the counselor because they just don't
know what the counselor wants. What is the best way to counsel a
merit badge? Do others really feel that Eagle badges need to be
made "harder"?

Nov 04, 2015 - Scouter Paul

@Teresa - Wow, I've never heard of such a thing as a scout
taking 5 attempts to complete a merit badge. The expectations
really should be set up front by a conversation with the
counselor.Actually, "trying your best" is not adequate for Boy
Scouts as it was for Cub Scouts. There are set requirements for
merit badges. It doesn't matter if a badge is Eagle-required or
not, the requirements are defined for the badge and they are
what the scout should be held to.The "best way" to counsel for
a merit badge? Well, following the defined BSA process is best.
Usethis page or this PPT or this
page as starting points.

Nov 04, 2015 - Teresa

Thanks Scouter Paul. When I say "try their best" I am speaking
more to the difference in age and ability when it comes to the
merit badge. Many of the badges I counsel are "academic" badges
and I do not expect an 11th grader and 6th grader to answer the
same question the same way.

Nov 06, 2015 - Scouter Paul

@Teresa - OK, that makes sense. Thanks.

Jan 04, 2016 - Kipp Irland

Problem: Military family. Moved from overseas back to the US. Scout has completed portions of the Swimming Merit badge. The scouts new Scout Master stated that he must get in touch with his former Counselor (me) to complete the badge. He only has the actual swim portion remaining. The SM stated that if he is unable to complete the MB with his former counselor, he would need to start over. Is there some written text that states that he would and should get credit for his partial work on the badge before moving due his family's military service. Appreciate any input. Thanks!

Jan 30, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Kipp - A merit badge counselor usually accepts work completed
under the guidance of a previous counselor - it happens all the
time. See Section
7.0.3.3 of the Guide to Advancement.

Apr 07, 2016 - Trav's Mom

Our troop will allow you to do work on MB's outside of scouts, but the counselors require proof that it was done. We take lots of photos and if it required him to do a speech or read, we get a letter from whomever was over it. We have never had to question anyone's integrity on MB requirements. our troop is also very boy-led. They boys decide what ones they are doing at meetings, and they can opt out to work on something else. We have a great balance of MB and advancements. We have some more motivated than others. My son started as a Tiger and just crossed over, and he is excelling more than expected. (I think I have a future SPL on my hands. I am a leader/counselor, but I do not sign my own sons stuff, I have him take it with proof to another counselor.

May 04, 2016 - WILLIAM CLARK

Where can I find the pre-work requirements for the merit badge
classes?

Jul 30, 2016 - Michael Lane

I have lived in the Alaskan bush for several years, I am a
hunting and fishing guide. I am VERY familiar with wilderness
survival, hiking, camping, boating, horsemanship, trapping,
fishing, hunting, archery. I am a licensed Skipper and I am
logging solo time for my commercial fixed wing and helicopter
licenses, I am an avid bow hunter, I am a certified wild fire
hotshot and have participated in several search and rescue
operations in the bush. I was wondering if my unique skills
would be useful to the BSA and if I should apply to be a MB
Counselor.

Aug 06, 2016 - Mel Koford

Your BSA procedures on this page are great. One thing I
am suggesting to the 11yr old Patrol I lead, the Scouts
are very eager and I suggest a MB to get them started. I
have these Scouts until they are 12. They are ready to
work on my suggestion. They also attend a Merit Bage
Midway and work on what they want.I am a Vertean
Scout Leader and am having fun with the program!

Sep 28, 2016 - Gavin Myers

What is the yellow ring around a merit badge mean? I know that
the white is Eagle required and green is normal. Thank you

Sincerely, Scout ranked Gavin

Sep 28, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Gavin - There are only green or silver borders. The 4 historic
merit badges available in 2010 had gold borders. If you see an
image online of what appears to be a yellow border, it's just poor
color display.